By Education News Team
Teachers in the Public Service will pay dearly to be enlisted for the mandatory Teacher Professional Development (TPD) Programme launched a couple of days ago.
Despite the TPD Programme being funded by the World Bank to a tune of Sh2.3 billion, Teachers Service Commission (TSC) still insists that teachers have to part with a fee before being considered for the In-service training whose modules are already out.
The TPD Policy Framework (2018) seen by Education News states that TPD is a professional responsibility, and that it is mandatory for every teacher. “Therefore, it is the duty of the teacher to meet the cost of TPD as it is the case in other professions,” the document signed by both TSC Chairperson Lydia Nzomo and Secretary Nancy Macharia states.
According to the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Research report, TPD Programme is financed by the World Bank under the Secondary Education Quality Improvement Project (SEQIP) at a cost of Sh2.3 billion.
The six-year programme is covering 17,000 Primary and 8,500 Secondary schools in 30 counties. The objective of the programme is to improve learning outcomes in Government sponsored schools.
Nzomo says TPD Policy Framework would guide the Commission in ensuring compliance with prescribed teaching standards, professionalism and integrity in the Teaching Service.
It is expected that the implementation of this policy will be instrumental in the realization of the Commission’s vision, mission and objectives.
“The Commission recognizes the huge financial implication of implementing the TPD Programme. I therefore wish to call on the teachers, National Government, development partners and other stakeholder to join the Commission in undertaking this noble task,” said Nzomo.
Macharia observed that TSC like other stakeholders in education takes cognizance of the fact that learning outcomes at both Primary and Post-primary is directly linked to the professional competence of teachers.
The top TSC official said in line with global trends in TPD, the Commission has developed quality standards to define and support the professional development of teachers and instructional leaders in all schools and tertiary colleges.
“The quality standards are meant to provide a consistent and supportive framework for teachers and instructional leaders in order to ensure their performance is measured against competency indicators that are meant to lead to significant learning and achievement in schools and tertiary colleges,” said Macharia.
The Commission will undertake continuous monitoring, and evaluations of TPD programme to quality assure, verify, offer professional support and give feedback on the training programmes.
It is envisaged that an online registration for TPD will be created whereby teachers will enrol for the various TPD training programmes offered by different Service Providers or Partners.
The Commission will ensure a calendar of TPD activities. TSC is in the process of accrediting institutions to provide TPD training.
The institutions (Service Providers) will pay accreditation fee to TSC before being approved.
For renewal of the Teaching Certificate, a teacher will have to complete seven sections of the module, and provide documentary evidence of having successfully taken the course in five years.
Teachers will undertake TPD training sessions in not more than five days during all school holidays.
Upon commencement of the TPD Programme, all serving teachers will be required to acquire Teaching Certificate renewable every five years, while the subsequent applicants for Certificate of Registration will be issued with both certificates.
